TBEP has just completed a "Gulf Coast Community Handbook" that showcases ways Gulf of Mexico communities are incorporating sea level rise in their habitat protection efforts.

The handbook provides a review of the latest climate science, with a focus on impacts to habitats such as marshes and mangroves that are especially vulnerable to rising sea levels. It features 21 case studies from Gulf Coast National Estuary Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves that showcase effective ways to improve the resiliency of coastal habitats.

The document also contains interactive links to climate change resources, such as online mapping tools and scientific publications, and step-by-step recommendations to assist communities in assessing their vulnerabilities and developing response and resiliency strategies. The handbook is intended for environmental managers and community leaders in the five Gulf states. It was funded through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Ready Estuaries program.